Progress and not-progress June 26, 2007
Progress
I’m making great 
progress on the first Monkey sock. Having only one knitting project on the go at a time is making a huge difference. No swapping. No desk project competing for time with the upstairs project. Just knitting.
I got five repeats into the thing—instead of the required six—and decided that made a long enough cuff. I’m now working on the heel flap. The pattern calls for a plain heel flap, and I find those a bit boring these days, so I’m attempting an eye-of-the-partridge flap instead. I found the instructions for it on a site Deb referred to recently, Lauri B’s Toes & Heels. So far, so good.
Not progress
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the problem with my wonderful (up until now) swift. I’ve exchanged email messages with the manufacturer. I’ve looked at the thing a lot. I even (gently) stuck a small crochet hook in the area where I believe the problem to be. All to no avail. The thing still spins like a slug. If I can’t get it fixed before Friday I won’t be able to start the Mystery Stole on time, and I’ll be hopelessly behind. Arg. I wonder if I take my yarn down to my LYS if they’ll let me use their swift to wind it up. I wouldn’t blame them for saying no, but one never knows.
It may be worth a try.
Thinking about it certainly isn’t fixing the problem.
Nor is thinking about it getting the 1,400 yards of laceweight wound into a ball, so it can be swatched, knit, beaded, and turned into a glorious shawl.
juicefairy June 26
I find that I cant have more than one project going at a time either. It is too distracting. I am working on a basketweave scarf right now but I am always thinking about the next project.
I am a beginning knitter so socks look way too intimidating. When did you start socks? What is the easiest way to learn?–jf
Kathy June 26
If you lived near me, you could use my swift….do you know anyone who has one? Some yarn stores are nasty about winding yarn you got elsewhere, but if you spend money there on other yarn, they may say ok. I’m going to do the Mystery Stole as well, but no beads for me. This is my first large lace project and I figured going with the beads was just setting myself up for failure! Maybe after a few more projects!
I usually have quite a few going at a time, and then I clean them up and get down to one and then build them up again! That’s been a pattern with me. I like to have something easy and mindless for waiting and beach and tv, and something really challenging for sitting on the couch.
Karen B. June 26
I would totally let you use my swift! Do you know the owner of your LYS or perhaps you’re a good customer? They shouldn’t mind the loan - especially if it means keeping a customer happy
Brenda June 26
Monkey is looking good!
I don’t have a swift and I use my husband as one. I can usually find some way to make it worth his time. However, it’s usually a ball of sock yarn, not 1400 yds.
Jenna June 26
I would think that your LYS would let you use their swift for a little while. If not, maybe they’ll offer to help wind the yard for you? Your first Monkey sock is looking great! I really like the way that yarn is knitting up.